Chess celebrations usually recognize a well known chess personality at a hall of fame induction, an honoring of current/past achievement, or a birthday. Last weekend we sang happy birthday to local chess as we celebrated the 50 anniversary of chess in the small town of Park Forest. Many current and former club members visited or played in the tournament over the weekend, as 70 players battled for $7,000 in prizes and fifty grand prix points. Former Illinois Denker representative Kayin Barclay held top-seed IM Mesgen Amanov to a draw in round four, and they ended tied for first in the Open section. [see Park Forest 50th in the MSA/Past Tournaments for other results]

Pizza after chess at the Park Forest club has been a long tradition, so all players were treated to free pizza for lunch Sunday.

Free with enty: Mid-tournament pizza.

www.chesscountry.com helped by providing books and chess CDs specially discounted just for this tournament. A copy of the 1988 "A History of the Park Forest Chess Club" was available for viewing over the weekend. The final line from the History is: "we celebrate the birthday…by playing chess at the Park Forest Club." I think this sentiment of celebrating your local club, as well as the love, appreciation (and maybe frustration) of chess, by playing is something all chess players should embrace.

Kayin Barclay will be participating in the National High School Championships this coming weekend. Although he is rated 2091, he comes in at 29th seed in the top-heavy pre-registered list. Check the official pairings and results site here. Also look for #14 seed Jonathan Hilton's preview article later this week on CLO.